Police in Plateau State have banned the operation of open-air viewing centres in the states. The Plateau State Police Command said the action became necessary to prevent terrorists from attacking such centres during the World Cup.
In a statement, spokesman for the police in the state Dominic Esin, said, “This precautionary measure is aimed at forestalling warnings of impending attacks on these viewing centres by any person or group of persons and to secure an atmosphere of peace and security in the state.”
He advised football fans to stay away from such centres and watch World Cup matches in their homes, adding that anyone who violates the order, which takes immediate effect, would be punished.
Also, the Barakin Ladi Local Government Area of the state has banned the operation of football viewing centres in the locality.
Football viewing centres have been the target of terrorist attacks in Plateau State in recent times. In the last incident, more than 400 football fans escaped death in the Bauchi Road area of the state, when a bomber accidentally detonated his bomb-laden vehicle before he could reach a viewing centre during the final match of the UEFA Champions League between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in May.
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